World War II Database

Siege of Odessa

ww2dbaseThe Ukrainian city of Odessa was subjected to German aerial bombing on the very first day of the Axis invasion in Jun 1941. On 8 Aug 1941, the Romanian General Staff issued Directive No. 31 calling for the capture of Odessa and the defeat of Soviet forces between the Dniester River and the Tiligulskiy Estuary. Surrounded on three sides, it was originally thought by the Axis leadership that Odessa would fall quickly, but the Soviet Black Sea Fleet was able to transport reinforcements and supplies into the city, preventing the city from being truly enveloped and blunting the first offensive. The second Axis offensive began on 16 Aug, seeing initial success in the first few days, but by 24 Aug, heavy casualties forced the attacks to pause for a few days. On 15 Sep, Soviet troops began to fall back to the southeast toward the city, and on the following day Romanian troops captured the heights northwest of the Gross-Liebenthal district of Odessa. In early Oct, Soviet leadership in Moscow had decided to sacrifice Odessa and instead deploy its defenders to protect other areas of the Soviet Union. Through the first two weeks of Oct 1941, the Black Sea Fleet evacuated 121,000 troops and civilians, 1,000 trucks, and 20,000 tons of ammunition; meanwhile, anything that could not be evacuated was sabotaged by the Soviets to prevent Axis use. The evacuation was complete in the evening of 15 Oct, and on the following day Romanian troops entered the city. In the battle for Odessa, the Romanians suffered 17,729 killed, 63,345 wounded, and 11,471 missing. The Soviets suffered 16,578 killed and missing and 24,690 wounded.

ww2dbaseOdessa was to be occupied by German and Romanian forces until Apr 1944. During the occupation, approximately 280,000 citizens, mostly Jews, were massacred or deported. After liberation, Odessa was among the first four Russian cities to receive the honor Hero City in 1945.

In southern Ukraine, German troops established a bridgehead across the Dnieper River at Zaporizhia. Further southwest along the river, German troops began an attack on the city Kherson situated on the western bank of the river. The port facilities of Odessa, Ukraine was struck by He 111 bombers of German Luftwaffe KG 27; the pilots reported overwhelming success in terms of Soviet shipping destroyed. Out at sea, Two Romanian torpedo boats, NMS Viscolul and NMS Vijelia, damaged a Soviet destroyer south of Odessa.

In southern Ukraine, Soviet troops set off explosive charges to destroy port facilities and defensive structures at Odessa in preparation of the evacuation of 35,000 Soviet troops from Odessa to Sevastopol in Russia, which would commence after sundown.

The final Soviet evacuation ships departed Odessa, Ukraine at 0510 hours. In the past two weeks, 121,000 troops and civilians were evacuated from the city, along with 1,000 trucks and 20,000 tons of ammunition. Romanian troops entered the city later on this date, capturing the city.

Search for "History of Romania part 15 - Holocaust" on youtube to see the lies of the anti-Romanian propaganda exposed.

2. Dumb Idiot says:2 May 2019 08:56:18 AM

Add how it impacted ww2!!!!!

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"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"

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